Luke 21:17

What does Luke 21:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 21:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 21:17 means

Jesus plainly states that His followers "shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." This universal hatred signifies that their identity as Christ's disciples, rather than any personal failing, will be the sole cause of animosity. This prophecy reveals the world's inherent opposition to Christ and His kingdom, warning believers to expect rejection rather than acceptance from mainstream society when truly following Him. This clarifies the ultimate reason for the persecution mentioned in previous verses.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And you will be hated by all men, because of me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and ye shall be hated by all because of my name--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and ye will be hated of all for my name's sake.

Context

This verse concludes the description of the widespread and intense persecution by summarizing its ultimate cause: hatred for Christ Himself. It follows the sobering predictions of betrayal by family and martyrdom in verse 16. This general statement of universal hatred provides the backdrop against which Jesus offers the profound promise of divine preservation and the call to patient endurance that immediately follows, providing comfort amidst such dire warnings.

v.16But ye shall be delivered up even by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

v.17This passage

v.18And not a hair of your head shall perish.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 4:14

    If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.

  • Matthew 24:9

    Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name’s sake.

  • Acts 9:16

    for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:10

    Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

  • John 15:21

    But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

  • Philippians 1:29

    because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf:

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